Whitaker was struck three times in the groin area while his dog was hit once in the leg, deputies said. Whitaker was reported in critical but stable condition after he was airlifted to Kendall Regional Hospital in Tamiami. The dog was treated for its injury and is expected to survive.

The problems started when Whitaker got into an argument with a woman at the restaurant's bar about the dog, deputies said. Engelhardt intervened, telling Whitaker to leave.